McLaren Secures Major Coup as Verstappen's Engineer Lambiase Joins From Red Bull

McLaren has pulled off one of the most significant engineering acquisitions in recent Formula 1 history by securing the services of Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's trusted race engineer and Red Bull's head of race engineering, who will join the Woking-based team as chief racing officer from 2028.

The British engineer, universally known as 'GP' in the paddock, has been instrumental in Verstappen's rise to four-time world champion status, having worked alongside the Dutchman since his arrival at Red Bull for the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Their radio exchanges during races have become legendary, showcasing a partnership built on mutual respect and candid communication.

Lambiase's appointment represents the latest high-profile departure from Red Bull, which has seen a significant exodus of senior personnel since early 2024. The team has lost chief designer Rob Marshall, former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, chief technical officer Adrian Newey, head of race strategy Will Courtenay, and former team principal Christian Horner, who was dismissed in July 2025.

The timing of Lambiase's move coincides with Red Bull's struggles under Formula 1's new technical regulations. The team finds itself in unfamiliar territory, with Verstappen languishing in ninth place in the championship after three races, his best result being a disappointing sixth place. Both their new chassis and first in-house engine have failed to match the performance of their rivals.

For McLaren, Lambiase's recruitment forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen their technical infrastructure as they cement their position as championship contenders. The role of chief racing officer already exists within McLaren's structure, with team principal Andrea Stella currently managing these duties alongside his primary responsibilities.

The appointment will allow Stella greater freedom to focus on the leadership aspects of his role, particularly crucial given the Italian's remarkable workload. Stella currently serves as both team principal and effectively technical director, overseeing car design through his management of the three technical directors responsible for aerodynamics, performance, and engineering.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at the team, creating what many consider the strongest team culture in Formula 1, built on principles of openness, transparency, and mutual support. This environment has proven attractive to top talent, with Marshall and Courtenay already making successful transitions from Red Bull.

The move raises questions about Verstappen's future at Red Bull, particularly given his recent comments about considering his Formula 1 future due to his dissatisfaction with the new cars. The four-time champion is contractually free to leave Red Bull at the end of this season based on performance clauses in his contract.

Lambiase's departure, while not scheduled until 2028 when his current contract expires, symbolizes the scale of rebuilding required at Red Bull under new team principal Laurent Mekies. The team must address both their technical shortcomings and the loss of institutional knowledge that has walked out the door.

For McLaren, securing Lambiase represents another statement of intent as they continue building toward sustained championship success, demonstrating their commitment to acquiring the best talent in the sport regardless of cost or complexity.